Trinity Weekly, August 19

First Week of School!

Your Weekly News & Updates

Senior Pastor Update, August 19, 2016

It is with a heavy heart that I convey the news of my conversation with Pastor Jacob May this afternoon. After untold amounts of deliberation and prayer, Pastor May believes that God still has work for him to complete at Emmanuel Lutheran in Virginia. He will not be accepting our Call to come to Trinity. During this call process, Trinity Leadership has had discussions regarding our anticipated plans if we were not successful with this initial call. We will be working with District President Walton to secure a new Interim Senior Pastor and the Call Committee will reconvene to reconnect with a couple of individuals on our current call list. So please stay tuned, as I expect to have more details in the coming weeks. Please continue to pray for God to send the right person to lead Trinity into the future. Stephanie Landis, V.P. and Call Committee Chair

Trinity Voters Assembly

As the new school year fast approaches it is difficult not to reflect on the vast amount of Ministry that is carried out on a daily basis at Trinity. Camp Trinity provided opportunity for Christian Education during fun and exciting adventures; our high school youth were enriched and awed along with 25,000 other youth at the National Youth Gathering; young children were introduced to the Kingdom during a weeklong VBS camp; and we gathered in a prayer vigil to share the love of God and Jesus Christ with a hurting Orlando. We bid farewell to the Martin's and sought God's will for our future pastoral leadership and so much more! Even though many kids and our K-8 teachers were away our Pastoral staff, CDC staff, admin & support staff, and volunteers continued the important work of guiding and supporting our Mission and Ministries at Trinity.

Your Executive Council, staff, and volunteer finance committee members also labored on developing a balanced budget for the coming year. On June 19 th , we asked for and received permission from the congregation to take additional time to further refine the annual budget. Please join us for a special congregational meeting on Sunday August 28 th following the 11am service to learn about our plans to finance Trinity's Ministries for the coming year.

Prayer - Worship - Action: From Senior Elder Mike Kunze

The Leadership of Trinity, along with Pastor Green of Prince of Peace, District President Pastor Greg Walton, Pastor Armstrong of LCS, your pastoral staff and guest preachers will provide the assistance needed as we make the next steps into Trinity's future! So, what can we do?

PRAY for God's wisdom and guidance for Pastor May as he deliberates his call to Trinity. PRAY for wisdom and guidance also for your church leadership as they move Trinity forward in preparation for the coming year. PRAY as always for our Church and for our School ministry (CDC through K-8).PRAY about what you can do to help with this transitional process. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22
VOLUNTEER - As ministry team facilitators and staff leaders contact you about areas which need your volunteer support, consider how you can be a part of Trinity's next steps forward! When a sign-up sheet is passed around, consider adding your name.
ACT - When you receive the call to take action as a volunteer, cheerfully respond with the excitement and enthusiasm that will make the task a success. Consider connections in your community/neighborhood and with our ministry partners as well.
CONTINUE in your regular worship and Bible study attendance and giving. Consider your next steps in those areas as well-- not in a Bible study? Check out what's available and get connected. Haven't been to worship in a while, choose a service and join us in worship or watch a service online ! Forgot to turn in your giving commitment card, consider sending it in now (or contact the office for a new one).

Wouldn't it be great if when our new pastor arrives he says, "Wow, Trinity really has their act together!" and can dive right in with us to continue to develop and grow the ministry of the Church, "bringing people one step closer to Jesus."

Thrivent Choice Dollars and Personal Donations in Response to Pulse Tragedy

Funds distributed to Trinity to support a long term outreach response to the shooting on June 12 in Orla ndo, to help support the Orlando shooting victims, survivors and their families, ha ve exceeded $100,000 from all over the country. Donations made by July 31 to five local Lutheran churches were matched by Thrivent. Trinity representatives and our Orlando area ministry partners will be working together to develop a plan of how to best make use of those funds to support ongoing and new initiatives in keeping with Trinity's mission that reach out and make a difference in the lives of people touched by this tragedy. Leadership Council is accepting proposals for using these funds in a meaningful way to support those impacted by events on June 12. No idea is too big or too small with the main goal to reach out to victims/survivors, their caregivers, and others impacted by the events on June 12 with our promise to "walk alongside you with Christ's love and compassion".

Proposals for Outreach Initiatives received to date include

1) Supporting the Lutheran Counseling Services Crisis Care fund which supports free counseling and outpatient mental health services for those involved in the crisis and their caregivers. (Request for $30K)

2) The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild - making quilts for victims' families, survivors, first responders, and others affected - which has quickly grown to a worldwide drive with donations coming in from Mexico, UK, Australia, and more. (Request for $5,355: fabric for backing the quilts $3K, batting $1,955 and for postage $400)

3) Trinity Lutheran Church LCC Comfort Dog Ministry -- proposal includes the cost for the dog, travel and the required training in Illinois before and when the dog and handler meet, then hands on training here at Trinity with the LCC team. A Comfort dog ministry would allow for ongoing care and outreach to those affected by the Pulse tragedy in addition to providing a huge number of outreach and service opportunities for the church long term in our local community which would allow for our church family to build relationships and become actively involved with those in need in our community. ($20K)

4) Support for an Urban Church Plant in Downtown Orlando, in partnership with FL-GA District and other area churches.

5) Partnering with local law enforcement professionals to offer a self-defense and active shooter scenario training. ($375)

6) Reimburse Trinity's expenses for the Pulse Vigil and Banner ($623)

Please feel free to contact Leadership Council member Tim Norris [email protected] , Senior Elder Mike Kunze [email protected] or Ministry Coordinator Chanda Gillenwater [email protected] for information on the Thrivent fund and submitting an idea or proposal for intentional outreach to those affected by the Pulse tragedy and survivors and responders and to the Downtown community.

Serve While You Eat

If you need a date night, or you want a social encounter, or you are interested in learning something new, then come to dinner! Coming soon are three fundraising dinners three very different purposes. You can attend one, or two, or all three.

On September 22, IDignity is planning the annual Souper Douper where fabulous soups hand-crafted by local celebrities tempt your palate. Contact Diann Grover to reserve your spot at Trinity's table:407-587-5957.
Put on your fancy duds for a Saturday night out. Live UCF , a church at the University of Central Florida, spreads an elegant table for you September 24th, 2016, 6pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Orlando. Contact [email protected] .
A fall feast for Redeeming Life Maternity Home fills the spot for your third social outing. November 5, 2016 will be a Saturday evening you will never forget. A delicious dinner, good entertainment, and heart warming stories are waiting for you at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Sanford. Contact Deaconess Liz for details: [email protected]

Invest with LCEF and Help Earn THOUSAND$$ for Trinity!

Trinity just received nearly $23,000 from LCEF to assist our ministry! The check is the result of the outstanding response from the church, school, and CDC to open an account with Lutheran Church Extension Fund! If you haven't already, please consider opening an LCEF savings account. The more investors mean the higher the rebate check will be next year. Savings account investments start as low as $25 for children under 18 and $100 for adults. If your child is new to Trinity Lutheran School in either the CDC or K-8 programs Trinity will donate $25 to start the account. Adult investment accounts with LCEF benefit Trinity in the same way the Youth Investor accounts do, so parents and church members, you can participate as well! You can apply online at LCEF.org . For more information, please contact Bruce Hahn at 407-701-3234 or email [email protected].

From Pastor & Lisa Moore

"Thank you for your prayers. Facing bypass surgery would seem to be pretty scary, but with hundreds of people praying for us all over the country (and world!), we have been surrounded by God's perfect peace and protection from any fear. Thank you, and please keep praying!"

Update: Pastor Moore is now recuperating at home, following up through doctors appointments and trying to eat well and get lots of rest. Recovery will be an ongoing process, please keep them in your prayers. Contact: If you'd like to send a card the address is 205 S. Main Street, Concordia, Missouri 64020

Heading to College?

Our District provides college ministries and congregations around Florida and Georgia. During your years away at school it is vital that you stay connected to your church family in some way!

If you complete this Connection Form , the district will connect you with a ministry near to where you're in school and help get you plugged in. If Trinity can help you in any way while you're away at school, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Team Trinity Needs YOU

Trinity is sponsoring a walking team for the Lutheran Counseling Services Walkathon on September 24, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Held on the beautiful and conveniently located UCF campus, this event supports Mental health and Suicide Prevention Awareness as well as funds Lutheran Counseling Services' Crisis Care fund. This fund allows many individuals the gift of mental health care that may not otherwise be affordable. Did you know that Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages (CDC), and that only half of all Americans experiencing an episode of major depression receive treatment? (NAMI) Lutheran Counseling Services can help. Trinity will have a booth at this event to represent Trinity and all its ministries and would also like to have a Trinity team. If you are interested in participating on the Trinity team or volunteering time at the booth, please contact Chanda at [email protected] or 407-488-1919 x101. If you are unable to walk, your direct donation can be made through the registration link. Thank you.

What's going on with YOUth?

Mark your calendars for SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 from 2:00-4:00 for a 6th-12th grades students and their families - YOUTH ROOM DEDICATION, Open House, Meet and Greet Fellowship time. We will register for confirmation, apply for S.A.L.T. (Student Activities Leadership Team), hear about different opportunities to serve at Trinity, discuss fellowship ideas, share interests, pray and begin relationship building that helps develop and continue relationships of a strong Youth Ministry. But we need YOU there! Any questions please email Jenn Blackwood at [email protected]

MS and HS Bible Study

We're breaking for the summer after this weekend (July 24th). Classes will resume in September. Rally Day is September 11th and the Youth Room Dedication and Open House event is on September 18th. See you there!

Kings and Queens; Eeenie Meenie.....

Life is full of choices; "choose whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). Trinity Church offers the best choice for children ages 4 through 10 every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. Beginning this Sunday August 21, children will explore Bible accounts of making tough choices, Kings and Queens, and Conquests in the name of the Lord. Opening is in the church basement music room and pick up at 10:30 a.m. will be in the classrooms on the first floor of Heritage Hall.

Disaster Response

Our Brothers and Sisters in Baton Rouge, LA have suffered a terrible flood, the extent of which is probably not known as of now. This is an opportunity for you to help share God's Mercy and the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through the local LCMS congregations in Baton Rouge. If you are able, funds are needed to put supplies on the ground in direct support of those affected by the flooding. It will also allow the Southern District to distribute gift cards to those in greatest need along with the message of the Gospel. If you or your congregation would like to donate, please direct your donation to: The Southern District, LCMS, 100 Mission Drive, Slidell, LA 70460-5221. Earmark your donation for the support of the Southern District's Disaster Fund. Alternatively, you can donate on their website at http://southernlcms.org/connect/disaster-response/

Important Dates

August 26 OWLS lunch at Townhouse in Oviedo

September 5 Labor Day Holiday -- Campus Closed

September 11 Sunday School Rally Day

September 18 MS & HS Youth Open House, Youth Room Dedication

September 24 Stronger: A Walk to Save Hearts and Minds, UCF Memory Mall

September 24 LiveUCF Gala, Prince of Peace

October 15 Oktoberfest at Trinity

October 22 Sam Hoard Memorial Golf Tournament

October 31 Reformation Day (499th)

November 5 Touch A Truck Community Event and PTL Fundraiser

November 20 Congregation Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal